Oman praises Pakistan's diplomacy

PM hails close bilateral cooperation

ISLAMABAD:

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday and appreciated Pakistan's "sustained diplomatic efforts" for de-escalation and peaceful solutions to regional challenges, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

Albusaidi's meeting with PM Shehbaz was held on the second day of his two-day trip to Pakistan, during which he also attended the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) and held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

In his meeting with the Omani foreign minister, the prime minister "highlighted that the strong bond of shared faith, geography, history, culture, and centuries of people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and Oman provided a strong fraternal foundation to the bilateral relationship", the PMO statement said.

The premier underscored that Pakistan considered Oman a brotherly country, an important maritime neighbour and a valuable partner in a critically important region, it added.

"The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the successful convening of the 8th Session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission.

"He hoped that the meeting would provide a strong foundation for further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and deepening engagement between the two brotherly countries," the statement said.

It further stated that the prime minister "noted with deep satisfaction the unanimity of views between Pakistan and Oman on all regional and global issues".

He appreciated Oman's "principled stance" of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes, the statement said.

For his part, Albusaidi thanked the government of Pakistan for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation and "expressed satisfaction on successful holding of the 8th JMC session", the PMO statement said.

It added that the Omani foreign minister "agreed that it (JMC session) would pave the way for enhanced bilateral collaboration in diverse sectors for mutual benefit".

"The Omani foreign minister also appreciated Pakistan's sustained diplomatic efforts towards de-escalating tensions and advancing peaceful solutions to regional challenges," the statement read.

It added that PM Shehbaz also witnessed the signing of the Protocol of the 8th session of the Pakistan-Oman JMC, as well as agreements and memoranda of understanding for bilateral cooperation between the two sides in the areas of media cooperation, news and information exchange, historical documentation and archives management, communication and information technology and facilitation of diplomatic and official exchanges.

 

Ishaq Dar

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia were "totally unacceptable".

He made the remarks while addressing a joint press conference alongside Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who is currently on an official visit to Pakistan, following the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).

At the outset of the news conference, Dar said that the two sides would sign a protocol relating to the commission.

Dar stated that during his discussions with Sayyid Badr, he "conveyed Pakistan's strongest condemnation" of the recent attacks "which resulted in injuries to several individuals, martyrdom of one Pakistani and injuries to five Pakistani nationals."

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X, FM Dar "reaffirmed Pakistan's full solidarity with the leadership and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," including Islamabad's "unwavering commitment to the kingdom's sovereignity, territorial integrity and security, in accordance with the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement."

The remarks came as Yemen's Houthis vowed to press on with attacks on airports and oil facilities in Saudi ?Arabia and said they struck the headquarters of oil giant Saudi Aramco. The group said it had launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco facilities in the eastern city of Dhahran, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an Aramco refinery in Riyadh, without saying when.

Saudi Arabia has faced widening Houthi strikes over the past week, including an attack on Riyadh airport on Saturday that killed 13 people.

Dar and his Omani counterpart "also exchanged views on the evolving situation in the Gulf, underscoring the importance of restraint, de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy." FM Dar highlighted "the need to ensure the safety and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, given their critical importance to regional and global food and energy security."

According to the statement, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to "contributing constructively to diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region."

Dar, in his meeting with Sayyid Badr, also raised the issue of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), saying that it remained "a long-standing unresolved international dispute." The foreign minister "reiterated Pakistan's call for its just and peaceful resolution in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions."

Discussing "the grave situation in Palestine," the statement noted, FM Dar reiterated Islamabad's "principled and unwavering support" for the Palestinian people "and their inalienable rights." He stated, "We expressed concern over the continued expansion of illegal settlements and efforts to alter the status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif."

Pakistan also highlighted the "urgent need for the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza," reaffirming Islamabad's support for a just and lasting solution in accordance with relevant resolutions of the United Nations.

Regarding regional developments including the situation in Afghanistan and the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), FM Dar underscored "the imperative of ensuring that Afghan territory is not used to carry out activities against Pakistan."

On the IWT, the statement noted that the foreign minister "emphasised that India's unilateral decision to hold the treaty in abeyance constitutes a material breach of international law." He added that this represented "a dangerous attempt to weaponise shared water resources," and threatened the water, food and energy security of 250 million Pakistanis.

Welcoming "closer engagement between the business communities of the two countries and encouraged greater investment in Special Economic Zones and Free Zones," FM Dar also acknowledged "the valuable contribution of the Pakistani community in Oman."

The contribution "continues to serve as a strong bridge between our two brotherly countries," he said.

He added that both sides "reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in labour mobility, vocational training, and human resource development to create new opportunities for skilled Pakistani professionals and workers."

Dar expressed gratitude to Sayyid Badr and the Omani delegation "for their constructive engagement and valuable contribution to the success of the JMC session."

He concluded with saying that the "Pakistan-Oman friendship remains strong and forward-looking, and we are committed to building an even more prosperous future together."

Earlier, Dar and Sayyid Badr agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and intensify diplomatic efforts for regional peace and stability, as the two countries held the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Islamabad after a seven-year gap.

Speaking during a media briefing in Islamabad, FM Dar welcomed the Omani counterpart and his delegation to Pakistan, conveying greetings on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the Sultan of Oman.

The foreign minister said the two countries had maintained frequent interactions and shared longstanding historical and diplomatic ties. Referring to the JMC, he said: "The meeting was taking place after seven years, and both sides had agreed during their restricted meeting to avoid such lengthy gaps in the future."

He said there was considerable scope for enhancing bilateral trade, economic activities and investment opportunities, stressing that regular engagement was essential to achieving progress.

"I promise that in 2027, God will, I will visit your great country for this purpose and we will have the next GMC there," Dar said. The foreign minister said both sides had identified areas of mutual interest and discussed regional and global developments in detail during their restricted meeting.

He said discussions covered the "United States, Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, Palestine, the situation in Gaza, Jammu and Kashmir and other pressing regional issues."